United Way of Tarrant County is looking for creative new ways to solve community challenges and will offer a minimum of $10,000 to the problem solver who answers the call.
The agency recently launched KERNEL, a social innovation fund created to take on social issues in Tarrant County.
KERNEL invites nonprofits, businesses, civic organizations and entrepreneurs to propose solutions to community problems in the areas of education, income and health. Participants will compete for funding of at least $10,000.
Special consideration will be given to proposals that address one of 14 areas of need, such as summer learning loss and senior hunger. United Way will work with the grant recipient(s) to help them execute their plans and provide measurable results.
Applicants must submit a notice of intent by 5 p.m., Aug. 12, and proposals must be submitted by 5 p.m., Aug. 31.
The KERNEL Pitch Event is scheduled for Oct. 27, from 7 -10 p.m.
United Way also invites investors, mentors and volunteers to get involved with KERNEL. The fund is designed to plant a seed that will help new social innovation grow, so only new investments from people who specifically choose to join KERNEL will be involved.
A KERNEL information session is scheduled Aug. 3, from 10 to 11 a.m., at United Way of Tarrant County, located on the second floor of the Mercado Building, 1500 N. Main St. in Fort Worth.
For information or to submit a notice of intent to apply, visit www.unitedwaytarrant.org/KERNEL.
Texas Trust banks on new UTA center
The University of Texas at Arlington received a $100,000 gift from Texas Trust Credit Union in support of UTA’s new Career Development Center.
The 6,000-square-foot facility will provide students with career development services and help them connect with alumni and local businesses for professional opportunities.
In recognition of the gift, the Career Center’s main meeting area will be named the Texas Trust Interview Suite.
“UTA continues to produce the highest caliber graduates who contribute to a vibrant regional economy,” said Jim Minge, Texas Trust Credit Union CEO. “As a local employer we have a natural interest in helping these students succeed.”
Headquartered in Arlington, Texas Trust is one of the largest credit unions in North Texas and the 19th largest in Texas. The financial institution serves Tarrant, Dallas and Henderson counties and a majority of Ellis and Johnson counties.
Since 2013, Texas Trust has been the official credit union sponsor for UTA Intercollegiate Athletics.
UTA President Vistasp M. Karbhari commended Texas Trust for its support of the university as well as the communities it serves.
“Texas Trust’s gift is an investment not only in the future of our students but in our larger community,” Karbhari said.
Alzheimer’s Association, Edward Jones partner
Financial services firm Edward Jones has committed $4.7 million over two years to support the mission of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Funding will help increase the association’s care and support programs, provide educational materials on brain health, and support research and grassroots awareness activities such as the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
With the funding, the Alzheimer’s Association-North Central Texas Chapter will provide services, support and education to area Edward Jones’ associates and clients. The chapter covers a 40-county service area, with Fort Worth serving as its headquarters.
“We’re working with a growing number of senior investors and these investors are going to have memory issues,” said Tim Wendt, financial adviser for Edward Jones in Fort Worth. “We need to get up to speed on this disease, how it can negatively impact our clients and how we can serve them better.”
The Alzheimer’s Association will work with Edward Jones to create the Edward Jones Alzheimer’s Fund, designed to advance research, treatment and prevention and, ultimately, help provide a cure. Edward Jones also will serve as the nationwide presenting sponsor of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s event.
Community Link kicks off school year
The annual Back-to-School Bash, sponsored by Community Link Mission, is slated for Aug. 13 at Tarrant County College’s Northwest Campus, 4801 Marine Creek Parkway, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The free festival is expected to serve at least 1,500 children and their families who live in the Community Link service area or attend school in the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Independent School District.
Community Link assists low-income families by providing, at no charge, food and personal care items.
Participating children will receive everything needed to start their new school year right, including: backpacks, school supplies, new athletic shoes and socks, haircuts, eye screenings and glasses, books, and medical and dental checkups.
Sponsors and participants include TCC, Essilor Vision Foundation, Home Depot of Lake Worth, Tarrant Area Food Bank-Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Girl Scouts of America and Fort Worth Independent School District.
For information, visit www.Community-Link.org
Charity concert event uncorked
The inaugural Uncorked Music Festival in Grapevine will take the stage Aug. 19 to benefit the Grapevine Chamber of Commerce Foundation, in conjunction with the chamber’s Women’s Division.
Proceeds from Uncorked: Music in the ‘Vine will support local children with school supplies and senior citizens by fulfilling Christmas wishes during the holiday season.
The Walton Stout Band, Zack King Band, Justin Mason and Big Town Rodeo are on tap for the concert, which will be from 7-11 p.m. at The Laurel, located at 2040 Enchanted Way in Grapevine
General admission tickets are $50, and reserved seating tickets are $100. Admission includes small bites provided by 15 local restaurants and a beverage.
Tickets can be purchased at www.UncorkedGrapevine.com or by calling the Grapevine Chamber at 817-481-1522.
Methodist Mansfield hosts dog workshop
Methodist Mansfield Medical Center now offers pet therapy, and is in need of more pets and their partners for healing.
The hospital will host a Pet Partner Handler Training workshop on Aug. 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the J. Randall Canedy Community Room at Methodist Mansfield.
The class will teach dog owners the handling skills necessary for animal-assisted therapy visits along with requirements for evaluation and registration. Pet owners will learn how to visit safely with their dogs in hospitals, nursing homes, classrooms and other facilities.
The registration fee is $50, which includes lunch. To register, go to www.petpartners.org. For questions, contact Abby Wilson at abbywilson@sbcglobal.net or 817-319-8943.
AISD leadership program receives funding
Sid Richardson Foundation awarded the Arlington Independent School District a $200,000 grant for continued operational support for the Emerging Leaders Program, a research-based principal and assistant principal training program.
The program, in partnership with national nonprofit New Leaders, includes in-person meetings, one-on-one coaching and ongoing webinars that strengthen the leadership skills of aspiring principals and assistant principals.
Initial funding for the Emerging Leaders Program has come from Raise Your Hand Texas ($1.3 million), the Meadows Foundation ($90,000), and American Express and the National Association of Secondary School Principals ($330,000).
REAL School Gardens gets grant
Wells Fargo & Co., as part of its $15 million Wells Fargo Environmental Solutions for Communities grant program with National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, awarded REAL School Gardens $50,000 to support its hands-on learning projects.
The nonprofit creates learning gardens for low-income students and trains teachers how to use the gardens to improve instruction.
The Wells Fargo funds will help REAL School Gardens add sustainable features to learning gardens at five high-poverty elementary schools in the Fort Worth-Dallas area. The project will help restore native plant and animal habitats and conserve stormwater by bringing conservation education.
BRIT rain barrels roll out
BRIT (Botanical Research Institute of Texas) and the city of Fort Worth are offering heavy-duty 55-gallon rain barrels and 55-gallon compost bins now through Sept. 2.
The repurposed rain barrels come in four different colors to help blend into the homeowner’s landscape: black, terracotta, grey and light blue. The tumbling compost bin comes in black only.
The sale is open to all North Texas-area residents at reduced prices. The rain barrel costs $75 and the compost bin sells for $130. Both can be purchased online through the city’s new supplier, Upcycle Products Inc., at upcycle-products.com/britfw. Pick-up day is Sept. 10, from 9 a.m. to noon at BRIT’s upper two parking lots located at 1700 University Drive in Fort Worth.
Send nonprofit news to Betty Dillard at bdillard@bizpress.net